Letter #13

Merry Christmas!

This was one of the highlights of my Christmas this year. (See, I told you that y'all are always apart of my Christmases.)

Right this minute I'm listening to "The Fighter" from your new album…I wish it would come out sooner, but then again, February is kinda your thing, so I'll wait.

Thank you, as always, for continuing to write your music. It makes connections in my life, and it gives me something to look forward to, because I know you will always connect with this total stranger--me.

xoxo,
Erin

Letter #12

Dear @TheFray,

I'm starting to get requests from other people who are fans of your music. @adamtie wants "Think It Over" to be an official studio recorded song, and I'm requesting "Be The One." It's all your decision on what you finally do of course (I know I have no control and minuscule influence), but an LP like that along with cover songs you've done like "The Train Song" and your Beatles covers would be the coolest, and I bet your fans would buy it!

Anyway, I know that's kind of a massive request, and it probably wouldn't happen, but a girl can dream, right?

I don't really know how, but apparently my blog is starting to get people talking, and I like it! :)

Moving on to my real topic for the day…
Christmas time is never really my favorite, but I remember the year that my sister and I got tickets to your concert. We were so ecstatic to go to see you live! This year I asked for the pre-order for Scars and Stories…I don't know if I'm getting it (we shall see tomorrow) but it's funny how things as simple as wanting a cd for Christmas makes me think of all of the memories I have involve your music. Most of them are good, and a few of them are sad, but all-in-all your music reminds me of everything I've been blessed with, and makes me remember why I don't dislike Christmas anymore.

I hope you guys have a great Christmas, and hopefully a good rest from your busy schedule. I know you would want everyone to remember the true meaning of this holiday, being Christians. I myself remember the true meaning of this holiday, and I smile knowing that even though everyone says the true meaning is lost, it is really always there. It's never lost, but sometimes we are lost, so we can all turn to Christ to remember and be found in the true meaning of Christmas.

xoxo,
Erin

Letter #11

Dear @TheFray,

I just received the newsletter from your fansite. I read about how you played for a girl in her living room…how desperately I wanted to be that girl, just for that moment in time. I honestly felt like crying when I saw this news. I'm probably not the biggest fan you guys have, but I must say, I'm getting up there.

I never used to cry when I read about stuff you guys did, but now I do…I don't call it obsession. I just call it "fan love." Because I would classify myself as obsessed if I was literally following you guys everywhere you went, stalking and such. But I just quietly "follow" on Twitter and Facebook; just another pair of eyes in the crowd, another voice heard for but a small moment in time when you replied to my tweet and read my blog post--which I have been forever grateful for, by the way.

Sometimes I still wish I could meet you guys, though, because that would be more than a dream come true. I know I've talked about this before, but I can't help it. You guys are still my heroes, fulfilling your dreams and fulfilling the dreams of fans everywhere as you progress in your career and life. I feel like I'm repeating myself, but again, it can't be helped; I'm continually inspired and I just want to be better at what I'm doing in life so that I too can unify others and do my part to bring the world together. I figure one of the ways I do so is by having this blog. A few of your Twitter followers have contacted me since our little engagement of conversation, and even though I've never met them in person either, I still feel connected.

I just think it's kinda neat how we can all connect each other through simple things like similar interests and acquaintances, how we can become unified through similar beliefs even if we have different perspectives and views of the world. Thank you, for being such a large part of that connection and unification.

We, your fans, owe you. That's why we give back every day by our blog posts and tweets and cover songs; our copies of every version of "How To Save A Life" (I think I have about three); and just the simple times we smile as we turn on your music.

xoxo,
Erin

Letter #10

Dear @TheFray,

Today will be my day to ask you questions about music.

Where do you get all of your inspiration in writing? Do you spend hours/days/weeks on one song? Do you make a melody first, then add lyrics, or does it kind of come around both ways?

I would like to know some tips for music writing, because I feel so inspired to write music (partially because this poor 21-year-old that I am has no job and just finished school…so I have LOADS of time), and I play guitar and sing. I like doing covers, I think it's cool, but I want to write my own songs. I have one song that I wrote one day when I was bored, and maybe I'll show it to you. I'll have to become a little more self-confident first, and admittedly it's really very short; but I kinda think it's cute….anyway…

If you could tell me some tips for writing, that would be pretty neat.

As always, xoxo,
Erin

Letter #9

Dear @TheFray,

It's been a while. You guys are obviously doing really well, making your Heartbeat music video and finishing your newest album, Scars and Stories. I need to buy a vinyl so if/when I meet y'all, I can get you guys to sign it. That's been a big dream of mine, too meet the four of you.

I always hear stories about how my best friends get to meet their band heroes. My friend Jen got to meet a bunch of bands--She & Him, JimmyEatWorld, Bright Eyes, etc. My friends Brittany and Kelsey met Neon Trees, and I think they both met some other bands too, I forget the names…one of my friends got to meet Quietdrive on her birthday--that was pretty amazing.

I got to meet Matt Hires, who is a pretty amazing artist; my cousins were the band Victim Effect (a local UT band); and I met Seve vs. Evan a couple of times because my co-worker in high school was his sister, and I almost met We Shot the Moon but when they got near to where I was, they got bombarded, so I decided to not bug them any more.

I like meeting new people, but I especially like meeting bands/singers because they get to travel and write music and inspire fans all over the place; but I've always wanted to meet the four of you because of the influence you've had on me and my life. I want to meet you so I can hug each one of you and thank you for what you've done for me, for every word and note that inspired me and comforted me in times of need. I want to meet you so I can say to myself, "I met some of my heroes," and that would just be alright if it was like 5 minutes…because just 5 minutes wouldn't get me all the time in the world, but maybe 5 minutes would allow me to show you my gratitude for what total and complete strangers can do for one another.

What can I do for you? To return the favors and kindnesses? I want to know.

xoxo,
Erin

Letter #8

Dear @TheFray,

Today I heard your song "Heartbeat" on the radio for the first time today. It's probably been on the radio for a week or so now, but I've been listening to my iPod, so I haven't had a chance to listen to the public radio.

Can I just say how blissful I felt? It makes me giddy and I get a bubbly feeling in my stomach like I just drank a bunch of soda pop. My heart starts to flutter like I've been kissed for the first time all over again. That rush of excitement and adrenaline that people's dreams are coming true. Not just anyone's dreams, but your dreams.

I can't help but know that you give me hope that I'll accomplish the things that I want in life, and I too can have an uplifting and positive affect on those around me. It's not selfish to wish that we are good influences; how is it so bad to hope for something so good as that? One half of this world tears us down by calling us prideful and selfish in thinking that we ourselves can help others, but I see the other half of the world that calls us to come to aid with our own abilities and talents to help those in need.

Thank you for your talents and love, that you have enough of both to share and bless the lives of those who surround you.

xoxo,
Erin

Letter #7

Dear @TheFray,

The day "Heartbeat" came out, a couple of things happened. First, I bought that song like I had been first in line, camped out all night in front of the music store. Except I just got it on iTunes at 7:45 am when you notified the world of the release.

The second thing that happened was this: your lyrics were probably sent straight from heaven to me yet again. I don't just say that to flatter you (even though I hope you're flattered). I say it because it's true. I feel like the words were written just for me. And I'm sure the meaning to me is somewhat a different perspective, but that's the beauty of your music. Everyone can take the lyrics and make them mean something to each fan.

For me, this song reminds me the lesson that I've had to be re-taught: to open myself up again and allow people into my life. Last year I got my heart broken by someone, and I truly thought I had lost my ability to trust others. I closed off from everyone I knew and I shut down. I'm still learning how to cope with the pain, because I was in an emotionally abusive relationship, and it's hard to admit to anyone, let alone myself. Admitting that here is embarrassing and uncomfortable, but I'm hoping it will let you see how much this one song means to me, and I want others to be able to know that this isn't just a stupid hopeless fan thing.

I have been playing this song repeatedly since I bought it, and I only wish you could feel what I feel when I hear those beautiful words. Isaac Slade and Joe King, you two are the only artists who truly reach my soul with your voices. David Welsh and Ben Wysocki, you two and your passionate instrumentals complete the circle. I don't know what I'd do without The Fray.

"Heartbeat" reminds me every day of the conversations I have had with my parents about the broken relationship. They tell me that I need to forgive and move on, and I can still love the ones who hurt me, and I can still love the ones who don't hurt me. I just need to remember that one part of love is moving on from the pain; I don't just push past it, I work through it and I get on with life.

Don't look back, not for anything
If you love someone, you love them all the same

xoxo,
Erin

Fan Letter #1

Dear @TheFray,


Since our little Tweet exchange, some of your fans started to ask if they could write to you on my blog, too. How can I say "no"? I can only say "yes" because I want this blog to be a place where fans can become friends with both the band members and with each other, all across the globe. Your music brings people together, so why not have a blog that does the same?


This is the first fan letter from Tara (@IsaacSladeLover on Twitter):


The Fray,


Wow, i dont know where to begin. 


Isaac's lyrics are inspirational,heart warming and nothing ive ever heard before. I feel like the lyrics actually seep right through me to the center of my heart. The amazing,wondeful lyrics mean ALOT to me.


This band means more to me than my life. They are a heart warming band i could not live without. Even though i dont know them personally, they have been there for me. 


The Fray has been apart of my life for alomst 5 years now. And i would not take back a single second of the countless hours i spent listening to them. 


All i can say is that The Fray is a band that i feel is a god of music,has AMAZING,inspiring,heartwarming lyrics and that i could not go a day without. I love you Isaac,Joe,Ben and Dave! 


I think it's really fantastic to find that I'm not the only one who has been this deeply touched by your music and what you've done for us all.


Thank you for the unity you bring to this world.


xoxo,
Erin

Letter #6

Dear @TheFray,

Today I want to talk about your love songs. "Never Say Never" has to be my favorite. I truly appreciate the undying, unconditional love you put into all your songs. They're not just like "I got you babe," or "shawty you da illest." No, these lyrics truly envision what real love is. But I just want to focus on my favorite for now.

Picture, you're the queen of everything, 
Far as the eye can see, it's under your command
I will be your guardian when all is crumbling,
I'll steady your hand...


...Don't let me go…


Just the repetition of "don't let me go" just makes me feel the pleading and wishing for the woman to stay with the man, and not just momentarily, not just for a few years, not just til death, but forever.

One day, I want a man to sing this to me. Or at least feel this way about me--that he won't want me to ever let him go; that's why we should never say "never," because he loves me that much. He loves me so much that he wants to be with me for eternity.

Thank you for writing love songs.

xoxo,
Erin

Letter #5

Dear @TheFray,

==Specifically to Isaac Slade for this moment==

Thank you for taking the time to read letter #4. I felt it was my most open and honest of the letters I've written so far; in fact, I think it's the most honest I've been with complete strangers, whom I also feel so close to, through music and through God. Being able to exchange meaningful words to one another means the world to me.

Thank you for taking the time to talk to your fans and thank you for taking the time to talk to me.

xoxo,
Erin

***SIDENOTE**** I will start adding letters from other fans, and I will start posting vlog posts. Love you all :)

Letter #4

Dear @TheFray,


I probably sound really crazy for saying what I'm about to say to you, but I have nothing to lose. Today I feel alone. I feel like I don't fit in anywhere.

During every great stride in life that helps us advance to the next event ahead, we have to lose ourselves a little bit. How else would we keep going in life? If we completely know who we are and know exactly what we want and we are completely happy and no longer need to progress, then our lives can end there.

I still have a lot of progression. This is my time to figure out how to progress to the next stride in my life.

Anyway, right now I'm just a hot mess. And when I'm like this, I turn to the one thing that never lets me down: music. It's an advisor, a comforter, listener, talker, distraction, and thought provoker.

Tonight, when I felt like I let everyone down, I came into my room and wanted to talk to you. So, I turned on your music. I know I don't know you all personally, but I know your music. I know the lyrics, the beat, the rhythm, the riffs on the guitar, the harmonies. It truly is like coming and talking with an old friend. I just listen, and I let the songs soak up in my mind and heart. I sing along when I feel prompted to do so. Some songs are like hugs, others are shoulders to cry on; some let me escape to different cities, in a cafe on the beach or on a train in the mountains. I can go to Manhattan or Portland, depending on the rhythm. I let my imagination and your music take me wherever I can escape to.

The point is, in music, I can do anything. That is something I truly admire about you guys. You make more than music. You give life and friendship to those who need it most. Thank you.

xoxo,
Erin

Letter #3

Dear @TheFray,

I have been to your concert 3 of the 4 times you've been to Utah. The first was at the Mckay Events Center in January of 2006, I believe (I'm not that great with years). This was my first real concert, and I loved every second of it. Meese was your opening band, and I don't know what it is about you Colorado people, but you know good music, and you know how to MAKE good music. I tried so hard not to cry, but tears of joy did come about halfway through your performance. I was where I wanted to be. I was with my sister, who also is a big fan. I was so glad that we got to share that moment together, and it makes me smile just thinking about that night. The best part was when y'all came back on stage for the encore, and you sang "The Sweater Song" by Weezer. I could not contain my happiness.

The second was 2007, my best friend's birthday present. It was pretty much my birthday too when she invited me to go, because her mom had paid for the two tickets. You guys were playing at the USANA Amphitheater, and we got lost for a half an hour in Kearns, which is one of the scariest places in Utah. When we finally found the right address (silly MapQuest had given us directions to a house of all things), we both decided it was worth the aggravation, because yet again we were right where we wanted to be; who could ask for a better way to end summer? That was the first time I ever got beer spilled on me, and you guys covered "Hips Don't Lie" by Shakira. The light show was amazing.

The third concert was 2009, for your self-titled album. Jack's Mannequin was the opening act, and "Dark Blue" became a new favorite song of mine. I hold dear memories to that song. I was with my sister and her best friend, and the best part of the entire night was when you played "Happiness," and Isaac started out alone, then one by one the four of you joined together. "In this hard time, I don't know where you've been, but we've been on our knees," was what you said to us, what you said to me. I felt so close to everyone there, even though I only knew two people. I can still remember the music swelling so loud I could literally feel it in my heart. That is the best way to end anything: being unified by love and by God.

xoxo,
Erin

Letter #2

Dear @TheFray,

Today I want to tell you about the song "Heaven Forbid." You guys already know about the song, the meaning etc. But let me give it a new meaning….let me tell you what it means to me:

When I was a senior in high school, I was having a really low point. I felt like I didn't know what I was doing in life; there were a lot of issues I was having with my self esteem and what direction I should take. And I remember how one day I just lost it. I couldn't handle the feelings bottled up inside. I can only remember two things: feeling like I was losing my mind, and crying in my car, listening to this song over and over again, starting to feel comforted. These words never left me after that day:

Hold on tight, wait for tomorrow, you'll be alright.

I was feeling so alone, like no one understood. Then those words kept repeating as I kept replaying the song, and I really felt like I could hold on, and that everything would in fact be alright. Ever since that day, whenever I have a bad day or feel like I can't hang in there, I listen to "Heaven Forbid" until I feel like I can.

I wish everyone could really believe that they'll be alright, no matter what they're going through. Being a Christian, I truly believe that God only gives us trials we can handle. We just have to keep pushing through, climbing those mountains til we reach the top, and weathering the storms til we see the sun shine again.

Heaven Forbid has been a musical safe haven. I go to the song often. I am so grateful for this song, and I hope that my experience does it some justice in giving it just another chance to help someone in this world.

xoxo,
Erin

Letter #1

Dear Isaac, Joe, Ben, and David:

Welcome to my blog. Maybe this is just a "creepy fan thing" but I really don't mean to creep you out. I just want you to know that I truly believe you guys have done more than save my life. Your music has continued to touch my life in so many ways.

It all started in 2004. I heard "Cable Car (Over My Head)" on the radio, and I didn't even wait to hear any other songs. I went straight to Target that same week I heard the song, and I bought How To Save A Life. Since then, I have been more than a fan.

In each of my letters to you, I will tell you how your albums and covers have brought me so much joy and comfort, and how you as individuals have influenced my life. I truly hope my experience in writing letters will only help you to see how your music has changed me for the better.

This is just the beginning of many letters to come.

Thank you for writing your music, and please don't ever give up on your adoring fans (as I assume you haven't yet).

xoxo,
Erin